BY
Tom Parry

Easyjet to hold talks over possible pilot walkout

Easyjet is due to hold talks with pilots’ union Balpa today (September 22) in a last-ditch attempt to prevent a possible strike.

Balpa general secretary Brian Strutton said that 96% of its members had voted in favour of industrial action from a turnout of 88% in a dispute over working hours.

The decision of member’s to vote for strike action is down to their “strenuous shift patterns” resulting in “rising levels of fatigue”, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Earlier this month, it was reported that pilots were considering strike action over the October half-term holidays.

At the time easyJet, which employees 2,000 UK-based pilots, said the pilots’ workloads were set by the Civil Aviation Authority and not the airline itself.

"Balpa has received a last minute offer from Easyjet to resolve the dispute and we will consider this carefully,” said Strutton. "That means there are no plans for pilots taking industrial action at this stage.”

In a statement, the airline said: "Easyjet is committed to working with Balpa to find a resolution to the issues raised and we hope to reach a mutually agreeable solution."